President Obama formally extended limited health and other benefits to the unmarried domestic partners of federal employees Wednesday, including same-sex partners. Contrary to an earlier report by the Washington Post, full health insurance is not being offered to unmarried partners.
The limited benefits (even more limited than anticipated) may do little to mollify anger among gay rights groups for the administration's defense of the Defense of Marriage Act and failure to lift the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy. Of course, social conservatives are infuriated at even this step for lessening the importance of traditional marriage but that was a given anyway.
While the move may be a minor first step, failure to follow through on earlier campaign promises, especially in regards to "don't ask, don't tell," may prove an ongoing impediment to the credibility of the administration among key supporters.
______________________Labels: barack obama, employment, gay rights, health, u.s. government
